Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

2025/10/21

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Services Statistics publication provides data on service establishments available in the cities and villages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whether educational, administrative, social, agricultural, governmental, or private, based on a comprehensive inventory from administrative records, distributed according to the administrative division of the Kingdom.
The data were collected on the main characteristics as follows:
•    Public and private schools by educational stage.
•    Red crescent centers.
•    Civil affairs offices, and civil defense centers.
•    Banks.
•    Municipal and agricultural services

Classifications

The Classification of Populated Areas  Manual is applied in Services Statistics:
It is a classification of the General Authority for Statistics, which classifies the administrative subordination of each (administrative region, governorate, administrative center) as well as the type of populated area (city, village).
The classifications are available at:https://www.stats.gov.sa/glossary-of-statistical-terms

Statistical concepts and definitions

Concepts and Terminology of the Services Statistics Publication:
•    Administrative Region:
Part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is administered by a government agency which is directly attached to the Ministry of Interior.
•    Governorate:
Part of the administrative region, the first level of the subdivisions and reports directly to the region.
•    Center:
Administrative authority belonging to the governorate.
•    Populated area:
Every place inhabited by a population. It could be fixed, such as a city, a village, or a farm, or non-fixed, such as a water resource.
•    City:
Every populated area with a municipality, or more than (5000) inhabitants, is considered a city.
•    Village:
A place with a fixed population with a recognized name and the number of houses more than (10) dwellings.

Data sources

Administrative records from government and private entities are considered the main source of data for the Services Statistics publication in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The disseminated key variables of survey data are:
•    Distribution and number of governmental and private schools according to the educational stage.
•    Number and distribution of red crescent centers.
•    Number and distribution of civil affairs offices, and civil defense centers.
•    Distribution and number of banks.
•    Number and distribution of municipalities and sub-municipalities.

Designing the data collection tool

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Statistical population

The statistical population of the Services Statistics includes all service establishments, such as educational, administrative, social, and agricultural establishments, as well as public governmental and private establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sample Design

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit of the Services Statistics publication is the service establishment.

Data collection

In coordination with the Authority’s departments concerned with data management and collection, the administrative data for the Services Statistics publication are obtained from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health, in addition to more than 25 other entities, which provide data on the numbers and locations of service establishments across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The data is stored in the authority's databases after undergoing auditing and review processes following approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. If errors or discrepancies are discovered, the data is cross-referenced with the data source for correction or clarification.

Data collection frequency 

Data collection process for Services Statistics is carried out on an annual basis.

Reference area

Services Statistics cover service establishments in all regions, governorates, administrative centers, cities, and villages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

Services statistics data are based on the last day of each calendar year.

Base period

Not applicable.

Measurement unit

Most results are measured by numbers (such as: Number of civil defense centers).

Time coverage

The data is available from the year 1999 to 2024.

Publication frequency

The results of the Services Statistics are published on an annual basis in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

The data is reviewed and validated to ensure its accuracy in a manner appropriate to its nature, to enhance the quality and accuracy of the statistics provided. 
The current year’s publication data is compared with the previous year’s data to ensure its validity and consistency in preparation for data processing, extracting results, and reviewing them.
In addition to processing and tabulating the data to verify its accuracy, all outputs are stored and uploaded to the database after being collected by the General Authority for Statistics, where they are reviewed and processed by specialists using modern technologies and software designed for this purpose.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Imputation and calibration

•    Searching for missing coordinates using mapping software.
•    Converting coordinates from various formats into degree format to standardize processing.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A standard that measures the extent to which the product meets the needs of users.

User needs 

Internal users in the GASTAT for servicesstatistics data:
•    International Indicators Department.
•    National Partnerships Department.
Some several external users and beneficiaries greatly benefit from Services Statistics data, including:
•    Government entities.
•    Regional and international organizations.
•    Research institutions.
•    Media.
The disseminated key variables that are mostly used by external users:

Completeness 

Services Statistics data are based on administrative records from service-related entities to provide statistics on the progress and distribution of services across the Kingdom. The data are complete and fully covered.

Accuracy and reliability 

A standard that measures how close the calculations or estimates are to the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

•    Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
•    The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
•    The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is actually published.

Timeliness 

The General Authority for Statistics is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement, clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as outlined in the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly.

Punctuality 

The publication is done according to the publication dates in the statistical calendar published for Services Statistics on the website page of the General Authority for Statistics.
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

Statistics should be consistent internally and over time, and logically interconnected across scope and statistical domains, meaning that data should be comparable across regions and countries as well as across different time periods for the same region, and data from diverse sources can be combined and used interchangeably.

Comparability - geographical

The data are comparable both nationally and internationally.

Comparability - over time 

The Publication started in 1999 as a survey conducted every three years. The following are the main changes that have occurred in recent years:
•    1999 - 2017:
The publication was initially issued under the name “Services Guide.”
•    2019:
The publication was converted into a registry-based publication under the name “Services Statistics”.
•    2023:
The publication was transformed from being issued every three years to being issued annually.

Coherence- Cross domain

Not applicable because the data are registry-based.

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Not applicable.

Coherence- Internal 

 Statistics have full internal consistency, as all data are based on the same dataset.

Accessibility and clarity

The ability for users to access data, the availability of accurate or complete data, and the availability of a methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 9.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
Press release

Publications

GASTAT issues Services Statistics publications and reports regularly within a pre-prepared dissemination plan, and they are published on GASTAT’s website. GASTAT is keen to publish its publications in a way that serves all users of different types, including publications in different formats that contain (publication tables, data graphs, indicators, and metadata) in both English and Arabic.
Results of Services Statistics are available on:
Services Statistics

On-line database

The data is published on the statistical database
GASTAT (stats.gov.sa)

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

The Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) is applied in the Services Statistics publication
Generic Statistical Business Process Model(GSBPM)

Quality assurance

GASTAT considers the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, enhancing the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing the burden on respondents. 
Data is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, such as: (data entry, data collection, and other final controls).

Quality assessment

GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model, the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final stage of statistical activities involves an overall evaluation using information gathered at each stage or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see any sensitive or confidential data, which violates the confidentiality of statistical data.

Publishing policy

Statistical calendar

Services Statistics have been included in the statistical calendar. 
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs, so it immediately provides them with the results of the publication once the Services Statistics Publication is published.
It also receives questions and inquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website: www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official e-mail address:   info@stats.gov.sa
•    Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•    Official letters.
•    Statistical telephone: (199009).